More mainlanders buying drugs in HK  

特效药差近万元 深圳口岸涌现赴港“带药族”(图)

A mainlander buys medicines at a drug store in Hong Kong. (Photo source: Ta Kung Pao)

(ECNS) -- The variety of medicines available in Hong Kong and huge price gap with the mainland have attracted an increasing number of mainlanders to buy medicines in Hong Kong, according to Ta Kung Pao.

The mainlanders are buying two categories of medicines: regular healthcare medicine and specific drugs for rare diseases, such as tumors or cancer.

Imported specific drugs have the biggest price gap. Herceptin for breast cancer is sold for about 15,200 yuan ($2,487) in Hong Kong's general pharmacies, but 24,500 yuan ($4,009) at Shenzhen's public hospitals.

Most imported specific drugs are not covered by insurance, which increases the mainland's demand for buying the drugs in Hong Kong to save money.

Xiao Lei, deputy director of the Chinese Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD), said fewer than 20 of 400 foreign drugs can be bought on the mainland.

Many patients suffering from rare diseases would pre-order the drugs from Hong Kong's pharmacies as they are not available on the mainland.

Yuan Bixiao, whose daughter was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis, said her daughter needs to take Sabril, a drug produced overseas.

Yuan was once detained by mainland Customs for not declaring 61 boxes of Sabril bought in Hong Kong.